Turntable welding system with light curtain protection

ABSTRACT

A robotic welding system is provided that includes multiple welding cells equidistantly spaced in a circular arrangement, multiple perimeter light curtains to provide safety protection around the welding cells, a turntable centrally located in the circular arrangement, and multiple welding robots attached to the turntable. The welding system further includes a first welding process and a second welding process whereby both the first welding process and the second welding process each include a primary welding operation and a secondary welding operation whereby the turntable rotates between the welding cells to perform the primary and secondary welding operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a welding machine and more specifically, to a multi-cell robotic welding system wherein at least one welding robot is rotated, via a turntable, to each cell to perform a welding operation.

2. Description of Related Art

In a conventional robotic welding system typically a fixture containing components to be welded into a welded assembly are transported to a welding area so a welding robot or robots can perform a welding process. The welded assembly must be removed from the welding area so a subsequent fixture with components for a subsequent welded assembly can undergo the welding process. A disadvantage of this process is that the welding robot(s) is idle during the removal of the first fixture from the welding area and the placement of the subsequent fixture into the welding area. This in turn increases production time and costs.

Further, conventional robotic welding systems take up substantial floor space due to the arrangement of the welding robot with respect to the welding cells or stations. This leads to increased manufacturing costs due the substantial floor space required by the system.

Thus, what is required is a robotic welding system to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect, the present invention overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages by providing a robotic welding system that includes multiple welding cells equidistantly spaced in a circular arrangement, multiple perimeter light curtains positioned at a perimeter of the multiple welding cells, a turntable centrally located in the circular arrangement, the turntable having a rotating portion and a stationary portion, and multiple welding robots operatively attached to the rotating portion of the turntable. A first welding process is performed in a first pair of the multiple welding cells and a second welding process is performed in a second pair of the multiple welding cells, whereby the first welding process may be substantially different from the second welding process. During the first welding process the welding robots rotate between the first pair of welding cells while the second pair of welding cells are prepared for the second welding process. Further, during the second welding process the welding robots rotate between the second pair of welding cells while the first pair of welding cells are prepared for the first welding process.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention further provides where both the first pair and the second pair of welding cells each include a primary welding cell and a secondary welding cell. Further, the first welding process and the second welding process each include a primary welding operation performed in the primary welding cell and a secondary welding operation performed in the secondary welding cell. Still further, the primary welding operation is substantially different from the secondary welding operation.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention further provides a method to permit humans and a rotatable robot access to work areas. Specifically, the present invention includes an arrangement of light curtains that automatically activate and deactivate depending on a position of the robot. When activated, the light curtains create a safety curtain that detects entry into the work area. When the safety curtain is broken or disrupted, such as when a human enters the work area, power is removed from the robot thereby preventing injury to the human.

Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part of the specification.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a turntable welding system in a non-operational state.

FIG. 2 shows an overview of the turntable welding system in an operational state.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a turntable.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of proximity switches.

FIG. 5 is a chart showing the activation and deactivation of light curtains in conjunction with the position of the turntable.

FIG. 6 is a chart showing the operation of proximity switches in conjunction with the position of the turntable.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the turntable welding system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of a turntable welding system 10 that includes, multiple welding cells or stations 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “welding cells 12-X”), multiple safety-light curtains 14, a turntable 16, and multiple welding robots 18.

The multiple welding cells 12-X are equidistantly spaced in a circular arrangement. In the embodiment shown in the figures there is a first 12-1, a second 12-2, a third 12-3, and a fourth 12-4 welding cell, thus, the welding cells 12-X are spaced in 90° intervals. It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not dependent on the number of welding cells. The number of welding cells may vary depending on the application. Thus, the embodiment shown in the figures is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The welding cells 12-X contain equipment commonly known in the art, such as, a lift hoist to lift and move heavy objects, safety bars, safety switches, etc. and will not be described in detail herein. Thus, only those features that pertain to the present invention will be described.

The four welding cells 12-X are divided into two pairs such that a first welding process P1 is performed over a first time period in the first pair of welding cells 12-X and a second welding process P2 is performed over a second time period in the second pair of welding cells 12-X whereby the first time period occurs at a different time period than the second time period. Specifically, the first welding process P1 is performed in the first 12-1 and second 12-2 welding cells during the first time period, and the second welding process P2 is performed in the third 12-3 and the fourth 12-4 welding cells during the second time period. Of course, the second welding process P2 can be performed in the first 12-1 and second 12-2 welding cells, and the first welding process P1 can be performed in the third and fourth welding cells. Each welding process P1, P2 is programmed into a control system to perform a particular welding process for a specific application whereby the first welding process P1 may be different than the second welding process P2.

Each welding process P1, P2 is divided into two separate welding operations. Specifically, the first welding process P1 has a primary welding operation P1-P that is performed in the first (or primary) welding cell 12-1, and a secondary welding operation P1-S that is performed in the second (or secondary) welding cell 12-2, whereby the primary welding operation P1-P is different than the secondary welding operation P1-S. Similarly, the second welding process P2 has a primary welding process P2-P that is performed in the third (or primary) welding cell 12-3 and a secondary welding process P2-S that is performed in the fourth (or secondary) welding cell 12-4, whereby the primary welding operation P2-P is different than the secondary welding operation P2-S.

Each welding cell 12-X includes a welding area 20 and two personnel work areas 22 located on either side of the welding area 20. The welding area 20 is the portion of the welding cell 12-X where welding robot performs a welding operation. The work areas 22 are the portion of the welding cell 12-X where personnel can enter the welding cell 12-X to make the appropriate changes to the welding area 20 when the welding cell 12-X is deactivated. Any reference to a front portion of either the welding area 20 or the work area 22 will be that portion closest to the turntable 16 and any reference to a rear portion of the welding area 20 or work area 22 will be that portion furthest from the turntable 16.

Still referring to FIG. 1, a pivoting gate 24 is located at the rear portion of each welding area 20 to allow personnel access to the welding area 20 to change out a fixture or a jig, as will be described further below. The gate 24 is electrically connected to a lockable E-stop pushbutton 26. The lockable E-stop pushbutton 26 serves two functions. First, the lockable E-stop pushbutton 26 serves as an emergency stop pushbutton that when activated prevents the robots 18 from operating in that specific welding cell 12-x. The robots 18, however, will operate in the other welding cells 12-x. Second the lockable E-stop pushbutton 26 serves as a lockout so that when the gate 24 is open the lockable E-stop pushbutton 26 can be locked out so that the welding robots 18 cannot enter that specific welding cell 12-x. The welding robots 18, however, can enter the remaining welding cells 12-x. In other words, each lockable E-stop pushbutton 26 operates only in conjunction with it's corresponding welding cell 12-X. For example, if the gate 24 for the first welding cell 12-1 is open, the welding robots 18 can still operate in any remaining welding cell 12-2, 12-3, 12-4.

The welding cells 12-x are guarded by the light curtains 14 to safeguard the personnel workers from accidental injury. Briefly, light curtains are safety devices that are used to guard a manufacturing machine or area by detecting inadvertent entry into the area. Light curtains use an array of photoelectric sensors to detect the presence of an object, and typically consist of an infrared transmitter post and a corresponding infrared receiver post. When activated photoelectric transmitters from the first post project an array of synchronized-parallel infrared light beams to the receivers in the second post, thereby forming a safety curtain plane or detection zone. When an object interrupts one or more light beams a corresponding electrical safety circuit removes power from the guarded area to ensure safety. In the present invention, the light curtains 14 detect entry into the welding cells 12-X. Specifically, the light curtains 14 detect inadvertent entry into the activated welding cell 12-X.

Each welding cell 12-X includes multiple light curtains 14. Specifically, each welding cell 12-X includes a pair of perimeter vertical light curtains 14-V, a pair of perimeter horizontal light curtains 14-H, and an inner light curtain 14-I. It should be noted that the light curtains for a specific welding cell 12-X will be referenced hereinafter in the specification and on the drawings by simply adding the welding cell number to the end of the light curtain reference number. For example, the perimeter vertical light curtains for the first welding cell 12-1 will be referenced as 14-V1, the perimeter horizontal light curtains for welding cell 12-1 will be referenced as 14-H1, the inner light curtains for welding cell 12-1 will be referenced as 14-I1, etc. It should be further noted that because all the light curtains 14-V, 14-H, 14-I are identical for each welding cell 12-X only the light curtains in reference to the first welding cell 12-1 will be described and shown in the figures.

Referring to FIG. 2 and to the first welding cell 12-1, each perimeter vertical light curtain 14-V1 has a vertical transmitter post and a vertical receiving post. The perimeter vertical light curtains 14-V1 create a vertical safety curtain 34 that is activated (shown as a solid line) when the welding robots 18 are performing a welding operation in the first welding cell 12-1. Each perimeter vertical light curtain 14-V1 further includes a corner mirror 14-M1. The corner mirror 14-M1 allows the infrared beam to be bent around a 90° corner from the transmitter post to the receiving post. The presence of the corner mirror 14-M1 allows multi-side protection without increasing the number of light curtains. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, when activated the perimeter vertical light curtains 14-V1 detect entry into the welding cell 12-1 from the back portion of each work area 22 and from the side of each work area 22. It should be noted that when one set of perimeter vertical light curtains 14-V is activated for a given welding cell 12-X the other three sets of perimeter vertical light curtains 14-V are deactivated (as shown with dashed lines). Thus, in the embodiment shown in the figures, perimeter vertical light curtain 14-V1 for the first welding cell 12-1 is activated and perimeter vertical light curtains 14-V2, 14-V3, and 14-V4 for the second welding cell 12-2, the third welding cell 12-3, and the fourth welding cell 14-4 respectively are deactivated.

Still referring to FIG. 2 and to the first welding cell 12-1, each perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H1 has a horizontal transmitter post located at the rear portion of the work area 22 and a horizontal receiver post located at the front portion of the work area 22. The perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H1 creates a horizontal safety plane 40 that is located approximately 1-3 feet above the surface of the work area 22. The horizontal safety plane 40 is activated (shown as cross-section lines) when the welding robots 18 are performing a welding operation in the first welding cell 12-1. If the perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H1 is activated while a personnel worker is in the work area 22 the welding robots 18 cannot start the welding operation in the first welding cell 12-1 because, as explained above, interruption of the light beam removes power from the guarded area. It should be noted that when one set of perimeter horizontal light curtains 14-H is activated for a given welding cell 12-X the other three sets of perimeter horizontal light curtains 14-H are deactivated (no cross-section lines shown). Thus, in the embodiment shown in the figures, perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H1 for the first welding cell 12-1 is activated and perimeter horizontal light curtains 14-H2, 14-H3, and 14-H4 for the second welding cell 12-2, the third welding cell 12-3, and the fourth welding cell 14-4 respectively are deactivated.

Still referring to FIG. 2 and to the first welding cell 12-1, the inner light curtain 14-I1 is located adjacent to the turntable 16 and extends along the front portion of the welding area 20 and the two work areas 22. The inner light curtain 14-I1 also includes a vertical transmitter post and a vertical receiving post that creates a vertical safety curtain to detect access into the turntable area. The inner light curtain 14-I1, however, is deactivated (shown with dashed lines) when the perimeter vertical light curtains 14-V1 and the perimeter horizontal light curtains 14-H1 are activated. As shown in FIG. 2, the welding robots 18 extend between the vertical transmitter post and the vertical receiving post of the inner light curtain 14-I1. Thus, in order for the welding robots 18 to access the welding area 20 of the first welding cell 12-1 the inner light curtain 14-I1 must be deactivated. It should be noted that when one of the inner light curtains 14-I is deactivated for a given welding cell 12-X the other three inner light curtains 14-I are activated (shown with solid lines). Thus, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the inner light curtain 14-I1 for the first welding cell 12-1 is deactivated and the inner light curtains 14-I2, 14-I3, and 14-I4 for the second welding cell 12-2, the third welding cell 12-3, and the fourth welding cell 14-4 respectively are activated.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the turntable 16 is motor driven and is positioned at a center of the circular arrangement of the welding cells 12-X. The turntable 16 is of the type commonly known in the art and only those features of the turntable 16 that pertain to the present invention will be described. The turntable 16 includes a rotating portion 48 and a stationary base portion 50. The rotating portion 48 includes a top 52, a first activation/deactivation ring 54 (hereinafter “first ring 54”) located between the top 52 and the base portion 50, and a second activation/deactivation ring 56 (hereinafter “second ring 56”) located between the first ring 54 and the base portion 50. The top 52, the first ring 54, and the second ring 56 are mechanically connected together such that when the rotating portion 48 rotates about an axis of rotation 58, the top 52, the first ring 54, and the second ring 56 rotate together as a unit relative to the stationary base portion 50. Further, the rotating portion 48 can rotate in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

The welding robots 18 are mounted to the top 52 of the rotating portion 48 and rotate with and in the same direction as the rotating portion 48. Thus, the rotating portion 48 of the turntable 16 rotates such that the welding robots 18 can be rotated to any one of the four welding cells 12-X. Further, the welding robots 18 are mounted adjacent to each other such that during a welding operation both welding robots 18 perform a welding operation in the same welding cell 12-X. It should be noted that the welding robots 18 are of the type commonly known in the art, such as but not limited to MIG welders, and will not be described herein. In the embodiment shown in the figures, there are two welding robots. The present invention, however, is not dependent on the number of welding robots. The number of welding robots may vary depending on the application. Thus, the embodiment shown in the figures is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, although the first ring 54 and the second ring 56 both rotate about the axis of rotation 58 they are not concentric. In other words, the first ring 54 and the second ring 56 are circular in shape but are situated such that a center of the first ring 54 and a center of the second ring 56 are offset in opposite directions from the axis or rotation 58. Thus, one side of the first ring 54 extends further from the axis of rotation 58 of the rotating portion 48 than the opposite side. Similarly, one side of the second ring 56 extends further from the axis of rotation 58 of the rotating portion 48 than the opposite side. This allows the first ring 54 and the second ring 56 to engage limit switches, which activate and deactivate the light curtains 14, upon rotation of the rotating portion 48. Specifically, as the rotating portion 48 rotates the first ring 54 engages a first set of limit switches LS-1, LS-3, LS-5, and LS-7 to thereby activate and deactivate the perimeter vertical light curtains 14-V and the perimeter horizontal light curtains 14-H. Further, as the rotating portion 48 rotates the second ring 56 engages a second set of limit switches LS-2, LS-4, LS-6, and LS-8 to thereby activate and deactivate the inner light curtains 14-I.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the limit switches are equidistantly spaced around the turntable 16 such that the limit switches are arranged where LS-1 and LS-2 correspond to the first welding cell 12-1, LS-3 and LS-4 correspond to the second welding cell 12-2, LS-5 and LS-6 correspond to the third welding cell 12-3, and LS-7 and LS-8 correspond to the fourth welding cell 12-4. For simplicity, only limit switches LS-1 and LS-2 that corresponds to the first welding cell 12-1 will be described.

FIG. 5 illustrates in table form when the light curtains 14-V1, 14-H1, 14-I1 are activated and deactivated. When the welding robots 18 are positioned in the first welding cell 12-1, the first ring 54 engages limit switch LS-1 and simultaneously disengages limit switches LS-3, LS-5, and LS-7. Accordingly, limit switch LS-1 activates perimeter vertical light curtain 14-V1 and perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H1. Thus, the perimeter around the first welding cell 12-1 is guarded by perimeter vertical light curtain 14-V1 and the perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H1. In addition, limit switches LS-2, LS-3, and LS-4 deactivate perimeter vertical light curtains 14-V2, 14-V3, and 14-V4, and the perimeter horizontal light curtains 14-H2, 14-H3, and 14-H4 respectively. Thus, personnel can access the welding area 20 and the work areas 22 for the second 12-1, third 12-3, and fourth 12-4 welding areas. Simultaneously, the second ring 56 disengages limit switch LS-2 and engages limit switches LS-4, LS-6, and LS-8. Accordingly, limit switch LS-2 deactivates inner light curtain 14-I1 and limit switches LS-4, LS-6, and LS-8 activate inner light curtains 14-I2, 14-I3, and 14-I4 respectively. Thus, the welding robots 18 have access to the first welding cell 12-1 and the perimeter around the turntable 16 is guarded by inner light curtains 14-I2, 14-I3, and 14-I4.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the turntable welding system 10 further includes four proximity switches 60-1, 60-2, 60-4, and 60-P (hereinafter collectively referred to as proximity switches “60”) located adjacent to the turntable 16. The proximity switches 60 operate on a binary format to detect the general position of the rotating portion 48 of the turntable 16. Thus, when proximity switch 60-1 is activated indicates that the rotating portion 48 of the turntable 16 is at the first welding cell 12-1. Similarly, when the proximity switch 60-2 is activated indicates that the rotating portion 48 of the turntable 16 is at the second welding cell 12-2. When proximity switches 60-1 and 60-2 are activated indicates that the rotating portion 48 of the turntable 16 is at the third welding cell 12-3. Finally, when proximity switch 60-4 is activated indicates that the rotating portion 48 of the turntable 16 is at the fourth welding cell 12-1. Proximity switch 60-P is used for parity. In other words, proximity switch 60-P will turn on when there is only one other proximity switch turned on and will remain off when two other proximity switches are turned on. Thus, the number of proximity switches 60 that will be turned on when the welding robots 18 are positioned at any given welding cell 12-X will be even (even parity) and more specifically will be two, as shown in the table in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 1, the turntable welding system 10 further includes multiple start pushbuttons 62, and a main power pushbutton 64. There are two start pushbuttons 62 per welding cell 12-X. The start pushbuttons 62 are located at the rear portion of the work area 22 and include an E-stop feature. Each start pushbutton 62 must be activated by a personnel worker in order for the welding robots 18 to operate in that given welding cell 12-X.

The main power pushbutton 64 controls the power to the entire turntable welding system 10 and also includes an E-stop feature. In the embodiment shown in the figures the main power pushbutton 64 is located at the rear portion of the work area 22 of welding cell 12-1. The main power pushbutton 64, however, can be positioned at any location around the perimeter of the turntable welding system 10.

Operation of the turntable welding system 10 will now be described in reference to the first welding process P1, which corresponds to the first welding cell 12-1 and the second welding cell 12-2. To effectively illustrate the advantage of the present invention the following will be assumed;

-   -   A first welding assembly has already undergone the primary         welding operation P1-P in the first welding cell 12-1 and is         located in the second welding cell 12-2.     -   The first welding assembly is currently undergoing the secondary         welding process P1-S in the second welding cell 12-2.     -   A second welding assembly has also undergone the primary welding         process P1-P in the first welding cell 12-1 and has been removed         from the first welding cell 12-1 and placed in a buffer area 66         (shown in FIG. 1) located between the first welding cell 12-1         and the second welding cell 12-2.     -   A third welding assembly has been loaded into the first welding         cell 12-1 waiting to undergo the primary welding operation P1-P         of the first process P1. It should be noted that the loading of         the third welding assembly into the first welding cell 12-1         occurred during the secondary welding operation P1-S to the         first welding assembly in the second welding cell 12-2.

Thus, at this point in the first welding process P1, when the first welding assembly is in the second welding cell 12-2 undergoing the secondary welding operation P1-S, as explained above, perimeter vertical light curtain 14-V2 and perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H2 are activated, and perimeter vertical light curtain 14-V1 and perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H1 are deactivated. In addition, inner light curtain 14-I2 is deactivated and inner light curtain 14-I1 is activated.

Referring now to the flow chart in FIG. 7, once the secondary welding operation P1-S to the first welding assembly is complete, the rotating portion 48 of the turntable 16 rotates to position the welding robots 18 at the first welding cell 12-1 to perform the primary welding operation P1-P to the third welding assembly (STEP 100). Perimeter vertical light curtain 14-V1 and perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H1 at the first welding cell 12-1 are activated via limit switch LS-1 and inner light curtain 14-I1 is deactivated via limit switch LS-2 (STEP 102). In addition, perimeter vertical light curtain 14-V2 and perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H2 at the second welding cell 12-2 are deactivated via limit switch LS-3 and inner light curtain 14-I2 is activated via limit witch LS-4 (STEP 102). The primary welding operation P1-P to the third welding assembly can now begin.

During the primary welding operation P1-P to the third welding assembly in the first welding cell 12-1 (STEP 104), the first welding assembly is removed from the second welding cell 12-2 for further processing (STEP 106). In addition, the second welding assembly is then removed from the buffer area 66 and placed in the fixture in the second welding cell 12-2 (STEP 108). Once the primary welding operation P1-P to the third welding assembly is complete (STEP 110) the rotating portion 48 of the turntable 16 rotates to position the welding robots 18 at the second welding cell 12-2 to perform the secondary welding operation P1-S to the second welding assembly (STEP 112). Again, perimeter vertical light curtain 14-V2 and perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H2 at the second welding cell 12-2 are activated via limit switch LS-3 and the inner light curtain 14-I2 is deactivated via limit switch LS-4 (STEP 114). In addition, perimeter vertical light curtain 14-V1 and perimeter horizontal light curtain 14-H1 at the first welding cell 12-1 are deactivated via limit switch LS-1 to allow personnel workers to enter the first welding cell 12-1, and inner light curtain 14-I1 is activated via limit switch LS-2 to detect the entry of personnel workers into the turntable area (STEP 114).

During the secondary welding operation P1-S to the second welding assembly in the second welding cell 12-2 (STEP 116), the third welding assembly is removed from the first welding cell 12-1 and placed in the buffer area 66 (STEP 118). A fourth welding assembly is then loaded into the fixture in the first welding cell 12-1 waiting to undergo the primary welding operation P1-P (STEP 120). The above process is repeated until all the scheduled welding assemblies have undergone the first welding process P1 (STEP 122).

Once the first welding process P1 is complete the second welding process P2 will begin to process a different set of welding assemblies in the third 12-3 and fourth 12-4 welding cells (STEP 124). The second welding process P2 will undergo the process explained above until all the scheduled welding assemblies are complete (STEP 126).

The advantage of the above process is that production of the welding assemblies is not interrupted each and every time a welding assembly is removed or loaded into a welding cell 12-X. As illustrated above a welding operation is always in process in a first welding cell while a second welding cell is being prepared for another welding operation, which increases production and reduces manufacturing costs. Further, the footprint of the circular arrangement of the welding cells is compact, which makes the manufacturing area efficient for personnel workers to enter the welding cells and retrieve components to perform their functions. Still further, the addition of the light curtains reduces the number of physical barriers around the manufacturing area and specifically around the welding cells, which allows easy unobstructed access to the welding cells.

Still yet another advantage to the above process is that during operation of the first welding process P1 described above, all the perimeter light curtains (14-V3, 14-V4, 14-H3, 14-H4) located at the third 12-3 and the fourth 12-4 welding cells are deactivated. Thus, personnel workers can prepare the third 12-3 and fourth 12-4 welding cells for the second welding process P2 without disrupting the first welding process in the first 12-1 and second 12-2 welding cells. Similarly, during operation of the second welding process P2, all the perimeter light curtains (14-V1, 14-V2, 14-H1, 14-H2) located at the first 12-1 and the second 12-2 welding cells are deactivated. Thus, personnel workers can prepare the first 12-1 and second 12-2 welding cells for the first welding process P1 without disrupting the second welding process in the third 12-3 and fourth 12-4 welding cells.

Still yet another advantage to the above process is that additional work to a welding assembly located in the buffer area 66 can undergo further work without disrupting the flow of production. For example, additional hand welding, cleaning or placement of additional parts, etc. can be performed to the welding assembly while the welding assembly is in the buffer area 66. It should be noted that an additional buffer area 68 (shown only in FIG. 1) is located between the third 12-3 and the fourth 12-4 welding cells for use during the second welding process P2.

It should be noted that the terms “first welding process P1” and “second welding process P2” are used in the present application to simplify the explanation of the operation of the turntable welding system and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In other words, the welding process performed in the first 12-1 and second 12-2 welding cells may be one type of welding process for one type of welding assembly, and a subsequent welding process preformed in the first 12-1 and second 12-2 welding cells may be a different type of welding process for a different type of welding assembly. Similarly, the welding process performed in the third 12-3 and fourth 12-4 welding cells may be one type of welding process for one type of welding assembly, and a subsequent welding process preformed in the third 12-3 and fourth 12-4 welding cells may be a different type of welding process for a different type of welding assembly.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that these embodiments are provided by way of example only and that the invention is not to be construed as being limited but only by proper scope of the following claims. 

1. A robotic welding system comprising: a first pair of welding cells and a second pair of welding cells equidistantly spaced in a circular arrangement; multiple perimeter light curtains positioned at a perimeter of the multiple welding cells; a turntable centrally located in the circular arrangement, the turntable having a rotating portion and a stationary portion; and multiple welding robots operatively attached to the rotating portion of the turntable, wherein during a first time period the welding robots rotate between the first pair of welding cells to perform a first welding process, wherein during a second time period the welding robots rotate between the second pair of welding cells to perform a second welding process, and wherein the first welding process may be substantially different from the second welding process.
 2. The robotic welding system of claim 1, wherein the first pair of welding cells includes a primary welding cell and a secondary welding cell, wherein the first welding process includes a primary welding operation performed in the primary welding cell and a secondary welding operation performed in the secondary welding cell, and wherein the primary welding operation is substantially different from the secondary welding operation.
 3. The robotic welding system of claim 2, wherein the second pair of welding cells includes a primary welding cell and a secondary welding cell, and wherein the second welding process includes a primary welding operation performed in the primary welding cell and a secondary welding operation performed in the secondary welding cell, and wherein the primary welding operation is substantially different from the secondary welding operation.
 4. The robotic welding system of claim 3, wherein during the primary welding operation in the primary welding cell the perimeter light curtains for the primary welding cell are activated and the perimeter light curtains for the secondary welding cell are deactivated to allow preparation of the secondary welding cell for the secondary welding operation, and wherein during the secondary welding operation in the secondary welding cell the perimeter light curtains for the secondary welding cell are activated and the perimeter light curtains for primary welding cell are deactivated to allow preparation of the primary welding cell for the primary welding operation.
 5. The robotic welding system of claim 4 further comprising: multiple inner light curtains located between the turntable and a front portion of each multiple welding cell, wherein during the primary welding operation in the primary welding cell the inner light curtain for the primary welding cell is deactivated and the remaining inner light curtains are activated, and wherein during the secondary welding operation in the secondary welding cell the inner light curtain for the secondary welding cell is deactivated and the remaining inner light curtains are activated.
 6. The robotic welding system of claim 5, wherein the rotating portion of the turntable comprises: a top portion; a first ring located between the top portion and the stationary portion; and a second ring located between the first ring and the stationary portion, wherein the first ring engages a first set of multiple limit switches to activate and deactivate the perimeter light curtains, wherein the second ring engages a second set of multiple limit switches to activate and deactivate the inner light curtains, and wherein the multiple welding robots are operatively attached to the top portion.
 7. The robotic welding system of claim 6, wherein each perimeter light curtain includes a vertical light curtain and a horizontal light curtain, wherein the vertical light curtain includes a mirror, and wherein the mirror deflects a light beam at a predetermined angle from a transmitter post of the vertical light curtain to a receiver post of the vertical light curtain.
 8. The robotic welding system of claim 7 further comprising proximity switches to detect the position of the rotating portion of the turntable.
 9. A robotic welding system comprising: a first welding cell to perform a primary welding operation; a second welding cell to perform a secondary welding operation; multiple perimeter light curtains positioned at a perimeter of the first and second welding cells; a turntable having a rotating portion and a stationary portion; and a welding robot operatively attached to the rotating portion wherein the turntable is located adjacent to the first and second welding cells such that the welding robot can perform the primary and secondary welding operations in the first and second welding cells respectively, wherein during the primary welding operation in the first welding cell the perimeter light curtains for the first welding cell are activated and the perimeter light curtains for the second welding cell are deactivated to allow the preparation of the second welding cell for the secondary welding operation, wherein during the secondary welding operation in the second welding cell the perimeter light curtains for the second welding cell are activated and the perimeter light curtains for the first welding cell are deactivated to allow the preparation of the first welding cell for the primary welding operation, and wherein the primary welding operation is substantially different from the secondary welding operation.
 10. The robotic welding system of claim 9, wherein during the primary welding operation in the first welding cell the perimeter light curtains for the first welding cell are activated and the perimeter light curtains for the second welding cell are deactivated to allow preparation of the second welding cell for the secondary welding operation, and wherein during the secondary welding operation in the second welding cell the perimeter light curtains for the second welding cell are activated and the perimeter light curtains for first welding cell are deactivated to allow preparation of the first welding cell for the primary welding operation.
 11. The robotic welding system of claim 10 further comprising: an inner light curtain located between the turntable and a front portion of both the first welding cell and the second welding cell, wherein during the primary welding operation in the first welding cell the inner light curtain for the first welding cell is deactivated and the inner light curtain for the second welding cell is activated, and wherein during the secondary welding operation in the second welding cell the inner light curtain for the second welding cell is deactivated and the inner light curtain for the first welding cell is activated.
 12. The robotic welding system of claim 11, wherein the rotating portion of the turntable comprises: a top portion; a first ring located between the top portion and the stationary portion; and a second ring located between the first ring and the stationary portion, wherein the first ring engages a first set of multiple limit switches to activate and deactivate the perimeter light curtains, wherein the second ring engages a second set of multiple limit switches to activate and deactivate the inner light curtains, and wherein the multiple welding robots are operatively attached to the top portion.
 13. The robotic welding system of claim 12, wherein each perimeter light curtain includes a vertical light curtain and a horizontal light curtain, wherein the vertical light curtain includes a mirror, and wherein the mirror deflects a light beam at a predetermined angle from a transmitter post of the vertical light curtain to a receiver post of the vertical light curtain.
 14. The robotic welding system of claim 13 further comprising proximity switches positioned adjacent to the turntable to detect the position of the rotating portion of the turntable.
 15. A method for welding multiple welding assemblies comprising the steps of: providing multiple welding cells equidistantly spaced in a circular arrangement, multiple light curtains positioned at a perimeter of the welding cells, a turntable having a rotating portion and a stationary portion, and at least one welding robot operatively attached to the rotating portion; programming a first welding process into a control system; loading a first welding assembly into a fixture in a first welding cell; rotating the rotating portion of the turntable such that the at least one welding robot is at the first welding cell; performing a primary welding operation on the first welding assembly; removing the first welding assembly from the first welding cell; placing the first welding assembly in a buffer area; loading a second welding assembly into the fixture in the first welding cell; performing the primary welding operation on the second welding assembly; placing the first welding assembly in a fixture in a second welding cell; rotating the rotating portion of the turntable such that the at least one welding robot is at the second welding cell; performing a secondary welding operation on the first welding assembly; removing the second welding assembly from the first welding cell; placing the second welding assembly in the buffer area; and loading a third welding assembly in the fixture in the first welding cell; wherein removing the second welding assembly from the first welding cell, placing the second welding assembly in the buffer area, and loading the third welding assembly in the fixture in the first welding cell are performed during the secondary welding operation on the first welding assembly.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein prior to the step of performing a primary welding operation on the first welding assembly, the method further comprises the steps of: activating multiple light curtains positioned around a perimeter of the first welding cell; deactivating a light curtain positioned between turntable and a front portion of the first welding cell; deactivating multiple light curtains around a perimeter of the second welding cell; and activating a light curtain positioned between the turntable and a front portion of the second welding cell.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein prior to the step of, performing a secondary welding operation on the first welding assembly, the method further comprises the steps of: deactivating the multiple light curtains positioned around the perimeter of the first welding cell; activating the light curtain positioned between turntable and a front portion of the first welding cell; activating the multiple light curtains around a perimeter of the second welding cell; and deactivating the light curtain positioned between the turntable and a front portion of the second welding cell.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of preparing a third welding cell and a fourth welding cell to perform a second welding process, wherein the second welding process may be substantially different from the first welding process.
 19. A method for permitting human and robotic access to work cells comprising the steps of: providing a first work cell and a second work cell, a robot operatively attached to a rotatable turntable and centrally located between the first work cell and the second work cell, multiple perimeter light curtains positioned at a perimeter of each work cell, an inner light curtain positioned between the robot and each work cell; rotating the turntable such that the robot is positioned at the first work cell; activating the perimeter light curtains at the perimeter of the first work cell to detect human entry into the first work cell; activating the inner light curtain between the second work cell and the robot to detect human entry into the turntable area; deactivating the perimeter light curtains at the perimeter of the second work cell to allow human entry into the second work cell; deactivating the inner light curtain located between the first work cell and the robot to allow robot entry into the first work cell; and removing power from the robot if a human or other object enters the first work cell.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of: rotating the turntable such that the robot is positioned at the second work cell; activating the perimeter light curtains at the perimeter of the second work cell to detect human entry into the second work cell; activating the inner light curtain between the first work cell and the robot to detect human entry into the turntable area; deactivating the perimeter light curtains at the perimeter of the first work cell to allow human entry into the first work cell; deactivating the inner light curtain located between the second work cell and the robot to allow robot entry into the second work cell; and removing power from the robot if a human or other object enters the second work cell. 